A Sustainable Voyage on the Plastiki

Tuesday, July 20

A Sustainable Voyage on the Plastiki

Can you imagine sailing from the US to Australia in a boat that was made of plastic bottles, 12500 to be exact.....? Well, this event is happening now, and you can track the amazing team and their voyage. The journey that began in San Francisco in March of 2010, and most recently in Samoa, is on its final leg towards Australia.

In the spirit of other homemade and culturally historical boats, such as the KonTiki, the crew is making a courageous crossing. The boat is constructed from plastic bottles and recycled/re-purposed materials to help bring awareness of the hazards of castoff plastics and the waste they create. There is an island of plastic and chemical sludge called the North Pacific Garbage Patch, which is trapped by the North Pacific Gyre, or horse latitudes, and is roughly the size of Texas. While its exact size is unknown, as it is a moving body of chemical junk, it is a significant phenomenon resulting from discarded plastic debris. There are more of these islands forming all over the globe, but this one is considered the largest.

While Plastiki is not specifically dedicated to the awareness of the Great North Pacific Garbage Patch, it is dedicated to the awareness of plastic bag and bottle usage worldwide. The goal is to direct attention toward alternative means and methods of living, especially to the mitigation of marine waste. Partnering with HP and through Adventure Ecology, IWC and a slew of other sponsors, Plastiki's voyage is not only an adventure, but it is a vehicle for education about the need to change our planet and the way we live on it. Kudos to the crew and amazing team that conceived and acted on a brilliant idea, and a phenomenal cause.

We became more aware of marine junk after speaking with friends who travel the high seas and colleagues at Heal the Ocean, and Malama Maunalua, where we are actively participating in increasing others' awareness of our suffering oceans.